NYC Hit-and-Run: Burglary Suspect Kills Cyclist in Tragic Police Evade Attempt!
A tragic incident unfolded in Queens, New York, as a beloved cyclist lost her life in a hit-and-run crash while a burglary suspect was attempting to evade the police.
Amanda Servedio, a 36-year-old woman who was known for her love of cycling, was fatally struck by a speeding pickup truck at the intersection of 34th Avenue and 37th Street in Astoria on Tuesday night. The driver, trying to escape from the NYPD, crashed into her as she cycled through the area.
According to police, the incident occurred around 11:10 p.m. The suspect, driving a Dodge Ram, was being followed by officers after they responded to a burglary report at 39th Avenue and Crescent Street, about a mile from the crash site.
Surveillance footage from the scene showed the pickup truck hitting Servedio just moments before a police cruiser arrived, its lights flashing in pursuit.
The impact was devastating, sending Servedio flying from her bicycle and into a parked BMW. Nearby residents and those who knew her were left in shock and grief.
Rebecca Phillips, a neighbor, shared her disbelief, stating, “She’s such a lovely person. She’s a very sweet woman. I can’t believe that. I just talked to her!”
The police had initially spotted the pickup truck due to its covered license plate, suspecting it was connected to the earlier burglary.
Officers began following the vehicle, but their cruiser malfunctioned during the pursuit, causing other units to take over. Unfortunately, before the suspect could be stopped, the driver reached the Astoria intersection, where the fatal crash occurred.
After the crash, officers stopped the pursuit and immediately attended to Servedio, who had suffered severe head and body injuries.
Despite their efforts, she succumbed to her injuries. Servedio’s death has left a hole in the hearts of those who knew her, both in her personal and professional life.
Originally from Arkansas, Servedio had lived in her Queens apartment for some time. She was a passionate cyclist who often participated in organized rides, and her dedication to the sport was well-known.
Phillips, her neighbor, recalled seeing Servedio frequently with her bicycle, even carrying it on her shoulder after long rides.
“She was a real cyclist. You regularly saw her coming in after long rides, walking up the stairs with her bike on her shoulder.”
Servedio tracked her cycling on the popular fitness app Strava. Her most recent ride, just a few days before the crash, covered about 14 miles. The day prior, she had completed another ride that spanned over 26 miles.
Beyond her passion for cycling, Servedio was remembered by her colleagues as a kind and dedicated professional.
Robert Arnold, who worked with her for several years, spoke fondly of her, saying, “She was a super smart, super sweet person. Beyond easy to work with, just a lovely person.”
Arnold also shared how much she loved her dog, who had passed away recently. “The pandemic was great for her because she got to spend every day working from home with her dog, and she really loved her dog.”
The hit-and-run driver, who had two passengers in the vehicle at the time of the crash, fled the scene and remained at large by Wednesday afternoon.
The police later found the abandoned pickup truck, but no arrests had been made. The NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is continuing to investigate the incident.
Servedio’s death has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving her friends, neighbors, and colleagues struggling to come to terms with the loss of someone they described as kind-hearted, passionate, and full of life.
“It’s a tragedy… She was a better person, and she just didn’t deserve anything like this,” Arnold expressed.
The police are urging anyone with information about the suspect or the passengers to come forward as the investigation continues.